The Tech World's Tributes to Steve Jobs

From Bill Gates to Spike Lee, friends, colleagues, rivals, and admirers of Apple's visionary offer thoughts about Steve Jobs after his death at 56.

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The death of Steve Jobs has generated tributes from the Apple visionary's colleagues, peers, rivals, and many who simply admired him from afar. Here's a roundup of what some of those people were saying in publicly released statements and on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook about Jobs after news of his passing was confirmed on Wednesday:

"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

"By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun.

"And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last.

"Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

"The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him."

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

"Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to Steve Jobs' family and friends. The world rarely sees someone who made such a profound impact."

"Today the world lost a visionary leader, the technology industry lost an iconic legend and I lost a friend and fellow founder. The legacy of Steve Jobs will be remembered for generations to come."

Michael Dell, CEO of Dell

"Steve Jobs was a great California innovator who demonstrated what an independent and creative mind can accomplish."

Jerry Brown, Governor of California

"Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor and Former Governor of California

"The genius of Steve Jobs, a man I've known for 40 years, not only brought to life the visual magic and brilliant storytelling of Pixar, but brought the world one of the most innovative and successful platforms to make movies and TV available online at the click of a mouse.

"He was a pioneer, and helped all of us better understand how technologists and creators can work together to enrich and enliven our shared world. If anyone ever wonders whether one person can make a difference, the answer is Steve Jobs. He will be deeply, deeply missed."

Senator Chris Dodd, CEO and Chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America

"We've lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products. Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn't help but be encouraged by how he persevered."

Paul Allen, Co-Founder of Microsoft

"I want to express my deepest condolences at the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the founders of our industry and a true visionary. My heart goes out to his family, everyone at Apple, and everyone who has been touched by his work."

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft

"He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me."

Larry Page, CEO of Google

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook

"Once in a rare while, somebody comes along who doesn't just raise the bar, they create an entirely new standard of measurement."

Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter

"Steve Jobs was the greatest leader our industry has ever known. We are all blessed by his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce.com

"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."

Bob Iger, CEO of Disney

"Steve Jobs is an inspiration to American entrepreneurs. He will be missed."

Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential Candidate

"Visionaries are always called crazy in the beginning. A visionary sees things that everybody else says is impossible, sees a world that people can't envisionMac, iPod, iPad, iPhone, iTunes, and Pixar. I have nothing but love for Mr. Jobs and Apple, they have always given me and my films L-O-V-E. Peace and blessings to his family."

Spike Lee, Filmmaker

"Steve was the best of the best. Like Mozart and Picasso, he may never be equaled."

Marc Andreessen, Investor, Technologist, and Netscape Co-Founder

"I feel honored to have known Steve Jobs. He was the most innovative entrepreneur of our generation. His legacy will live on for the ages."

Steve Case, Founder of AOL

"The world is a better place because of Steve, and the stories our company tells have been made richer by the products he created. He was a dynamic and fearless competitor, collaborator, and friend. In a society that has seen incredible technological innovation during our lifetimes, Steve may be the one true icon whose legacy will be remembered for a thousand years."

Jeff Bewkes, CEO of Time Warner

"Steve Jobs. Closest thing we had to Tony Stark."

Patton Oswalt, Comedian

"Maybe that's why Apple went with '4S' rather than '5': For Steve (4-S). RIP Steve Jobs."

Harry McCracken, Tech Journalist

"Steve Jobs! Thanks for never settling for the way things were during a life you spent showing us how things could be. O Captain! My captain!"

Kevin Smith, Filmmaker

"Steve Jobs was a visionary in the technology and telecom community. His contributions to innovating communications have forever changed our industry and our lives. He will be greatly missed."

Steve Largent, president and CEO, CTIA-The Wireless Association

"Steve Jobs was not only the heart and soul of Apple, he was the wind underneath the technology market. Both are significantly diminished by his passing."

Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst, The Enderle Group

"RIP Steve Jobs!! Thank you for sharing your genius with the world and being a revolutionary! Our lives are forever changed thanks to you!!"

Melissa Joan Hart, Actress

"No way! Wow. Prayers to his family."

Kourtney Kardashian, Reality Television Personality

"Thank you Steve Jobs, you made the world a better place. You will be missed."

Damon Poeter got his start in journalism working for the English-language daily newspaper The Nation in Bangkok, Thailand. He covered everything from local news to sports and entertainment before settling on technology in the mid-2000s. Prior to joining PCMag, Damon worked at CRN and the Gilroy Dispatch. He has also written for the San Francisco Chronicle and Japan Times, among other newspapers and periodicals.
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